Portable frame straightener



1962 J. J. GASPAR ETAL 3,034,563

PORTABLE FRAME STRAIGHTENER Filed Sept. 18, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS JOJ' HJ 64.50 42,

645 1. K. Beck/v52, s2.

y 15, 1962 J. J. GASPAR ET AL 3,034,563-

PORTABLE FRAME STRAIGHTENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18, 1959 Nw l IN V EN TORS JOJEPA J GA 63 ,48

0424 K. BECK/V58, 82

ATTORNEYS.

May 15, 1962 J. J. GASPAR ET AL 3,034,553

PORTABLE FRAME STRAIGHTENER Filed Sept. 18, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet a FIG. 4.

May 15, 1962 J. J. GASPAR ET AL 3,034,563

PORTABLE FRAME STRAIGI-ITENER Filed Sept. 18, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7.

INVENTORS f/wf fl Gas-P42,

6424 K. Bane/v52, :12.

United States Patent 3,034,563 PORTABLE FRANIE STRAIGHTENER Joseph J. Gaspar, 62 W. Myrtle, and Carl K. Beckner, Sr., 224 W. Oak St., both of Canton, Iil. Filed Sept. 18, 1959, Ser. No. 840,827 8 Claims. (Cl. 15332) This invention relates to apparatus for repairing vehicle frames, and more particularly to a portable framestraightenim apparatus adapted to be moved to the site of a piece of wrecked heavy equipment and to be lowered over the frame of the damaged equipment so that said frame may be straightened by the use of the apparatus.

A main object .of the invention is to provide a novel and improved portable apparatus for straightening the frame of a piece of wrecked heavy equipment, such as a large trailer or other heavy vehicle, the apparatus being relatively simple in construction, being easy to transport to the location where it is to be used, and being arranged so that substantially all operations on the damaged frame may be performed from the top and sides of the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved portable frame straightener adapted to be moved to the site of a piece of Wrecked heavy equipment and to be lowered over the frame of the damaged equipment so that said frame may be straightened, the apparatus being relatively inexpensive to fabricate, being durable in construction, being easy to adjust to a desired height, and providing a means for conveniently and eliiciently'straightening and repairing the frame of a large trailer or other heavy vehicle.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an improved portable frame straightening apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 a fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a'fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURES l and 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged transverse vertical cross sectional view taken'on the line 44 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical cross sectional view taken on-the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which one of the side beams of a vehicle frame is secured to a top bar of the frame straightening apparatus of FIGURES 1 to 5 and illustrating the manner in which a jack device is connected tosaid one of the top bars and applied to the side member of the vehicle frame.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which one of the side members of a vehicle frame to be straightened is secured to a side bar of the apparatus of FIGURES l to 5 and illustrating the manner in which a jack device is connected to the side bar of the straightening apparatus and applied to the side member of the vehicle frame.

Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates a portable frame-straighten ng apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 11 comprises a longitudinal, elongated, generally rectangular top frame structure 12 which comprises a pair of longitudinally extending top bars 13, 13, consisting of I-bearns having vertical webs 14 and horizontal top and bottom flanges 15 and 16.

The forward ends of the top bars 13, 13 are rigidly connectedby a'transversely extending vertical plate member 17, and-the forward corners of the longitudinal frame 12are braced by triangular gusset plates 18, 18 welded between the inside edges of the top flanges 15 of the top bars 13 and the top margin of the transverse cross plate 17. An apertured hitch lug 19 is rigidly secured to the intermediate portion of the forwardly facing surface of the vertical transverse cross plate 17, as is clearly shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3.

Designated generally at 23 is a wheeled rear truck assembly which is adjustably connected to the rear end of the top frame 12. As shown in FIGURE 2, the rear ends of the top bars 13, 13 are rigidly connected by a transverse vertical cross plate 21. Rigidly connected between the cross plate 21 and a similar cross plate 22 parallel and rearwardly spaced from the plate 21 are the top ends of a pair of vertical I-beams 23, 23, the lower end portions of said I-beams being rigidly connected by a transversely extending I-beam 24. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the transverse lower I-beam 24 is rigidly secured, as by welding, or the like, to the forwardly facing flanges of the vertical I-bearns 23, 23. Triangular gusset plates 25 are employed to rigidify the connections between the rear end portions of top bars 13, 13 and the vertical I-beams 23, 23 as shown in FIGURE 3.

Rigidly secured in the outwardly facing channel portions of the vertical I-beams 23, 23 are spaced apertured horizontal guide plates 26, 26 through which slidably extend the respective vertical upstanding guide rods 27, 27 rigidly connected to the transverse axle 28 of the truck assembly 20. Iournaled on the ends of the axle 28 are the respective supporting wheels 29, 29. Rig-idly secured on the axle 28 and spaced inwardly with respect to the respective vertical depending I-beams 23, 23 are the hydraulic cylinders 30, 30, said cylinders being located parallel to and inwardly adjacent to the I-beams 23, 23, as shown in FIGURE l. The hydraulic cylinders 30 contain pistons provided with upwardly extending piston rods 31, 31 whose top ends engage beneath bearing plates 32', 32' transversely secured to the bottom edges of the vertical cross plates 21 and 22, whereby lifting force may be applied to the rear end of frame 12 by admitting hydraulic fluid under pressure into the cylinders 30, 30, and whereby the rear end of the frame may be lowered by allowing hydraulic fluid to discharge from said cylinders.

Rigidly secured to the bottom flanges of the longitudinal top bars 13, 13 adjacent the rear end of frame 12 are the depending cylindrical post members 32, 32, to the bottom ends of which are rigidly secured the rectangular horizontal" plates 33, 33. The plates 33, 33 are rigidly secured, as by welding, or the like, to the top flanges of a pair of opposing, transversely extending horizontal channel bars 34, 34, the channel bars being further secured at their outer ends by horizontal top and bottom cross plates 35, 35, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 1. The transverse bars 34, 34' are thus secured horizontally beneath and spaced below the top bars 13, 13 and are of sufficient length to extend laterally outwardly from the top frame 12 by substantial distances at the opposite sides of said top frame, as shown in FIGURE 1.

Slidably engaged on the top bars 13, 13 are a pair of rectangular collar members 36, 36 said collar members being provided with clamping screws 37 threadedly engaged through their top walls and being clampingly engageable with the top flanges of the top bars 13, 13, whereby the collar members 36, 36 may be locked in selected positions along said top bars. Rigidly secured totne, bottom walls of the rectangular collar members 36, 36 are the depending cylindrical post members 38, 38, similar to the post members 32, previous described. The post members 38, 38 are provided at their bottom ends with the rectangular plates 39, 39, similar to the previously described rectangular plates 33. w 7

TL@ plates 39, 39 are rigidly secured, as by welding or the like, to the top flanges of a pair of opposed, transversely extending spaced channel bars 40, 40, similar to the previously described channel bars 34, 34, the channel bars 40, 44) being of suflicient length to project substantial distances laterially on opposite sides of the top frame 12. Rigidlysecured to the outer ends of the transverse channel bars 44), 4%) are respective castor brackets 41, 41, said brackets being provided with the depending vertical sleeve portions 42 which receive the upstanding shanks 43 of supporting castors 44, the shanks 43 being adjustably secured in the sleeves 42 by any suitable retaining means, such as inwardly extending pins 45.

As will be readily understood, when the apparatus is not in use, the castors 44 may be locked in retracted positions with the shanks 43 thereof retracted into the vertical sleeve members 42.

Designated respectively at 46, 46 are longitudinal side bars, comprising I-beams arranged with their webs horizontal and which are adjustably secured at the same height immediately subjacent the respective pairs of transversely extending channel bars 34, 34 and 40, 40 by vertical fastening bolts 47 which extend through the webs of the side bars 46 and through bearing plates 48 disposed on the top flanges of the transverse channel bars, the fastening bolts 47 being provided with clamping nuts 49, whereby the side bars 46 may be clamped beneath the transverse channel bars 34, 34 and 40, 4t) at selected positions along the transverse channel bars. Spaced apertures may be provided in the webs of the longitudinal side bars 46, 46 to receive the fastening bolts 47, whereby the transverse channel bars 40, 40 may be adjusted in position along the top bars 13, 13, by loosening the clamping screws 37, 37 provided on the collars 36, 36, as above described. It will therefore be apparent that the spacing between the longitudinal side bars 46, 46 may be adjusted to receive a wide range of vehicle frames therebetween and that the spacing between the transversely extending pairs of channel bars 34, 34 and 40, 40 may be likewise adjusted in accordance with the length of the vehicle frame to be straightened by the apparatus.

In using the apparatus, it is moved to the site of a piece of wrecked heavy equipment by means of a suitable tractor or similar vehicle connected to the apparatus at the apertured hitch lug 19. The apparatus is moved over the frame 50 of the damaged equipment, as shown in dotted view in FIGURE 1, and is lowered over said frame by allowing the pistons in the hydraulic cylinders 30 to descend, for example, by releasing hydraulic fluid from the cylinders. The castors 44 are lowered so as to support the forward portion of the frame and the castor shanks 43 are secured in lowered positions, whereby the apparatus will be supported on the ground at both its front and rear ends. The various portions of the damaged frame are then secured to the adjacent parts of the apparatus 11 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7. Thus, the side members 51 of the damaged frame 50 may be secured to the top bars 13 by means of tie rods 52, 52 engaging through transverse horizontal bottom blocks 53, and fastened to transverse horizontal top blocks 54, the bottom blocks 53 supportingly engaging beneath the frame members 51 and the top blocks 54 engaging transversely over the top flanges of the top bars 13. Similarly, the members of the damaged frame 50 may be secured to the side bars 46 by horizontal tie bars 55 connecting the respective ends of vertical block members 56 and 57 engaged respectively on the outer flanges of the side bars 46 and the inner edges of the flanges of the frame members 51, as illustrated in FIGURE 7. Thereafter, suitable force-transmitting means may be employed to apply straightening force between the longitudinally extending members of the apparatus 11 and the adjacent members of the damaged frame. For example, hydraulic jacks 60 may be employed in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7. The jacks 60 may be provided with hooked bracket portions 61 engageable on the flanges Of the bars 13 and 46 in positions such that the pistons of the jacks may apply straightening force to the members of the damaged frame 50.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the jack devices 60 are mounted vertically in depending positions so that they may act downwardly with respect to the bottom flanges of the top bars 13, bearing directly against the bottom flanges of said top bars and being advantageously disposed so as to exert downward force on the subjacent members 51 of the damaged frame 50. The jack members 60 are held in their vertical depending positions by the hooked bracket members 61 rigidly connected to the jack cylinders, as illustrated in FIGURE 6. Similarly, the jack members 60 employed as illustrated in FIGURE 7 bear directly against the inside flanges of the side bars 46 and are arranged to exert inward horizontal force on the inwardly adjacent members 51 of the damaged vehicle frame 50. The hooked bracket portions 61 of the jack members 60, as employed in FIGURE 7, act to support the jack members in horizontal positions.

It will thus be apparent that all of the straightening operations performed on the damaged frame 50 may be accomplished from the top and sides of the apparatus, employing the cross blocks 53 or 57 as fulcrum elements.

The castor members 44 are vertically adjustable, as previously described, so that the apparatus may be adjusted, employing the hydraulic cylinders 30, to a desired height in accordance with the size of the frame to be straightened.

While a specific embodiment of an improved portable apparatus for straightening vehicle frames has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable apparatus adapted to be positioned over a vehicle frame comprising a longitudinal top frame including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending top bars, a wheeled rear supporting truck assembly, means adjustably connecting the rear end of said top frame to said rear truck assembly, whereby said top frame may be lowered over a vehicle frame received therebeneath, respective transverse front and rear bars disposed beneath and spaced below said top bars and extending laterally outwardly from said top frame, means rigidly connecting said front and rear bars to said top bars depending wheeled supporting means secured to the outer end portions of said transverse front bar, and respective longitudinal side bars secured to the laterally extending portions of said transverse front and rear bars and being spaced substantially equal distances below'said top bars, said side bars being spaced a substantial distance above the wheels of the truck assembly and the depending'supporting means and being spaced apart sufliciently from each other to receive the vehicle frame therebetween.

2. A portable apparatus adapted to be positioned over a vehicle frame comprising a longitudinal top frame including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending top bars, a wheeled rear supporting truck assembly, adjustable Vertical frame means connecting the rear end of said top frame to said rear truck assembly, whereby said top frame may be lowered over a vehicle frame received therebeneath, respective transverse front and rear bars disposed 'beneath and spaced below said top bars and extending laterally outwardly from said top frame, means rigidly connecting said front and rear bars to said top bars, depending wheeled supporting means secured to the outer end portions of said transverse front bar, and respective longitudinal side bars secured beneath the laterally extending portions of said transverse front and rear bars 1 and being spaced substantially equal distances below said depending supporting means and being spaced apart sufficiently from each other to receive the vehicle frame therebetween, whereby the vehicle frame may be received beneath the transverse bars and the top bars.

3. A portable frame-straightening apparatus comprising a longitudinal top frame including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending top bars, a wheeled rear supporting truck assembly, adjustable vertical frame means connecting the rear end of said top frame to said rear truck assembly, whereby said top frame may be lowered over a vehicle frame received therebeneath, respective transverse front and rear bars disposed beneath and spaced below said top bars and extending laterally outwardly from said top frame, means rigidly connecting said front and rear bars to said top bars, depending wheeled supv porting means secured to the outer end portions of said transverse front bar, respective longitudinal side bars secured to the laterally extending portion of said transverse front and rear bars and being spaced substantially equal distances below said top bars, said side bars being spaced a substantial distance above the wheels of the truck assembly and the depending supporting means and being spaced apart sufficiently from each other to receive the vehicle frame therebetween, and force-transmitting means connected to and in vertical alignment with said top bars and connected to and in horizontal alignment with said side bars and being constructed and arranged to apply straightening force to such vehicle frame.

4. A portable apparatus adapted to be positioned over a vehicle frame comprising a longitudinal top frame including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending top bars, a wheeled rear supporting truck assembly, a pair of depending vertical guides secured to the rear end of said top frame, upstanding vertical guide posts on said truck assembly slidably engaging in said vertical guides, jack means on the truck assembly supportingly engaged in the rear end of said top frame, whereby to adjustably support the rear end of the top frame on the truck assembly, whereby said top frame may be lowered over a vehicle frame received therebeneath, respective transverse front and rear bars disposed beneath and spaced below said top bars and extending laterally outwardly from said top frame, means rigidly connecting said front and rear bars to said top bars, depending Wheeled supporting means secured to the outer end portions of said front transverse bar, and respective longitudinal side bars secured to the laterally extending portions of said transverse front and rear bars and being spaced substantially equal distances below said top bars, said side bars being spaced a substantial distance above the wheels of the truck assembly and the depending supporting means and being spaced apart sufficiently from each other to receive the vehicle frame therebetween.

5. A portable apparatus adapted to be positioned over a vehicle frame comprising a longitudinal top frame including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending top bars, a wheeled rear supporting truck assembly, a pair of depending vertical guides secured to the rear end of said top frame, upstanding vertical guide posts on said truck assembly slidably engaging in said vertical guides, jack means on the truck assembly supportingly engaging the rear end of said top frame, whereby to adjustably sup port the rear end of the top frame on the truck assembly, whereby said top frame may be lowered over a vehicle frame received therebeneath, respective transverse front and rear bars disposed beneath and spaced below said top bars and extending laterally outwardly from said top frame, means rigidly connecting said front and rear bars to said top bars, depending wheeled supporting means secured to the outer end portions of said transverse front bar, and respective longitudinal side bars secured beneath the laterally extending portions of said transverse front and rear bars and being spaced substantially equal distances below said top bars, said side bars being spaced a substantial distance above the Wheels of the truck assembly and the depending supporting means and being spaced apart sufliciently from each other to receive the vehicle frame therebetween, whereby the vehicle frame may be received beneath the transverse bars and the top bars.

6. A portable frame-straightening apparatus comprising a longitudinal top frame including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending top bars, a wheeled rear supporting truck assembly, a pair of depending vertical guides secured to the rear end of said top frame, upstanding vertical guide posts on said truck assembly slidably engaging in said vertical guides, jack means on the truck assembly supportingly engaging the rear end of said top frame, whereby to adjustably support the rear end of the top frame on the truck assembly, whereby said top frame may be lowered over a vehicle frame received therebeneath, respective transverse front and rear bars disposed beneath and spaced below said top bars and extending laterally outwardly from said top frame, means rigidly connecting said front and rear bars to said top bars, depending Wheeled supporting means secured to the outer end portions of said transverse front bar, respective longitudinal side bars secured beneath the laterally extending portions of said transverse front and rear bars and being spaced substantially equal distances below said top bars, said side bars being spaced a substantial distance above the wheels of the truck assembly and the depending supporting means and being spaced apart sufficiently from each other to receive the vehicle frame therebetween, whereby the vehicle frame may be received beneath the transverse bars and the top bars, and force-transmitting means connected to and in vertical alignment with said top bars and connected to and in horizontal alignment with said side bars and being constructed and arranged to apply straightening force to such vehicle frame.

7. A portable apparatus adapted to be positioned over a vehicle frame comprising a longitudinal elongated, generally rectangular top frame including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending top bars, a wheeled rear supporting truck assembly, a pair of depending vertical guides secured to the respective rear corner portions of said top frame, upstanding vertical guide posts on said truck assembly slidably engaging in said vertical guides, jack means on the truck assembly between said vertical guides supportingly engaging the rear end of said top frame, whereby to adjustably support the rear end of the top frame on the truck assembly, whereby said top frame may be lowered over a vehicle frame received therebeneath, respective transverse front and rear bars disposed beneath and spaced below said top bars and extending laterally outwardly from said top frame, means rigidly connecting said front and rear bars to said top bars, depending wheeled supporting means secured to the outer end portions of said transverse front bar, and respective longitudinal side bars secured to the laterally extending portions of said transverse front and rear bars and being spaced substantially equal distances below said top bars, said side bars being spaced a substantial distance above the wheels of the truck assembly and the depending supporting means and being spaced apart sufficiently from each other to receive the vehicle frame therebetween.

8. A portable frame-straightening apparatus comprising a longitudinal, elongated, generally rectangular top frame structure including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending top bars, a Wheeled rear supporting truck assembly, a pair of depending vertical guides secured to the respective rear corner portions of said top frame structure, upstanding vertical guide posts on said truck assembly slidably engaging in said vertical guides, jack means on the truck assembly between said vertical guides supportingly engaging the rear end of said top frame, whereby to adjustably support the rear end of the top frame on the truck assembly, whereby said top frame may 'be lowered over a vehicle frame received therebeneath,

respective transverse front and rear bars secured beneath and spaced below said top bars and extending laterally outwardly from said top frame, means rigidly connecting said front and rear bars to said top bars, depending Wheeled supporting means secured to the outer end portions of said transverse front bar, respective longitudinal side bar secured beneath the laterally extending portions of said transverse front and rear bears and being spaced a substantial distance above the wheels of the truck assembly and the depending supporting means and being spaced apart substantially equal distances below said top bars, said side bars being spaced sufliciently from each other to receive the vehicle frame therebetween, whereby the vehicle frame may be received beneath the transverse 8 bars and the top bars, and force-transmitting means connected to and in vertical alignment with said top bars and connected to and in horizontal alignment with said side bars and being constructed and arranged to apply straightening force to said vehicle frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,008,929 Scherer July 23, 1935 2,634,788 Harteker et al Apr. 14, 1953 2,705,040 Howick Mar. 29, 1955 2,799,920 Hansen July 23, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 119,363 Australia Dec. 15, 1944 

